Page 174 of When We Fall: Part One

I held her tightly, trying to find the right words.

“I killed three people tonight,” I finally said, my words a harsh croak. I never divulged this shit to her. I didn’t want her to have ugly thoughts in her pretty head about the shit I did.

She stiffened in my lap.

“I will find out who did this to you, and they will pay, Sunshine. I fucking vow it.”

“That man is dead,” she said gently. “Ani killed him.”

“Someone sent him. When I find who, he will die.” I knew it to my fucking bones. It had to have a connection to Ivanov.

“Can’t we just leave? Just let all this go? I can support us financially if I get a big break?—”

“What?” I pushed her away so I could look into her green eyes. “I don’t need money, Rosalie. I have enough to last me a lifetime. It’s not about money. I wouldn’t want to be a fucking bum who lived off his girl anyway. Don’t ever suggest that to me again. I am going to be your husband. As your husband, I have responsibilities to you and my family. I would never be at home while you worked your ass off.Never.Do you understand me? I will take care of you always.”

“Enzo, please,” she said softly. “We don’t have to live like this. You could finish college. Be a lawyer. A teacher. Do whatever you need to do, but just let this go. I’m so scared?—”

I cradled her face. “I’m doing this so you never have to be afraid again. OK? This is what a man does for his girl. He protects her at all costs.”

“This isn’t protection.” A tear slid down her cheek.

“Then what is it?” I asked, crinkling my brows as I stared back at her battered face.

“Hell,” she whispered. “It’s hell.”

I swallowed hard at her words. “I don’t want to have this argument with you again. I don’t. I’ve made my mind up. We will fight. I will be at the top, and you will always be my girl.”

“And if I left?” Her voice shook.

A pang shot through my chest. I thumbed her bottom lip gently.

“I told you before that I will find you if you ever leave me. It doesn’t matter how long it takes me to do it. I will drag you back here because you belong to me. You’re my girl. You belong here with us.”

“If there is no us left?”

I let out a soft breath. “There will always be an us. You are the center of my universe. My one and only. You were born to be mine, and I will never let you go. If you run, I will find you. If you marry someone else, I will steal you away because no one but a horseman should be your husband. I love you to the depths of my soul, Rosalie. I don’t know how to show you how much you mean to me.”

“Leave,” she choked out, a tear slipping along her bruises. “You could leave this all and just be with me.”

I studied her, so fucking torn. I was under so much pressure from all sides. In my mind, no one would dare harm my family if we were at the top. With power came respect. We could have it all. I’d make my father proud. I’d rule the world with my family at my side.

“I am with you,” I said gently. “I always will be, OK? Please. Trust me, baby. Believe in me. I can make this the most wonderful life for us. Can you do that for me?”

She closed her eyes, more tears slipping out, before nodding.

“I love you,” I murmured, leaning in and brushing my lips against hers. “I love you so fucking much, Rosalie. I want to give you the world.”

She kissed me this time. Immediately, I fell completely into her kiss, relishing everything she was and what we could be.

She let out a soft whimper as I deepened the kiss. I broke it off and stared at her face.

“Do you want…?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “Please.”

I knew she’d gone through hell only days ago and didn’t want to push her. I had her stripped naked within moments and spread on the leather couch. I thrust into her tight pussy amid a soft groan. Seeing the bruises on her thighs only made me want to take her pain and memories away more. The mark on her neck where the monster’s lips had been made me see red. I soothed the ache by pressing my lips over the mark and changing his mark to mine.

Her nails dug into my back as I slowly made love to her. I was wasted, but I knew well enough that I didn’t want to push her and trigger the fucked up shit in her head from all the things she’d been through. I wanted her to enjoy this and not be afraid.